A grounded theory study of homeopathic practitioners’
perceptions and experiences of the homeopathic
consultation

Eyles, Caroline (2009) A grounded theory study of homeopathic practitioners’
perceptions and experiences of the homeopathic
consultation.University of Southampton, School of Medicine,
Doctoral Thesis, 277pp.

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Description/Abstract

The apparent success of homeopathy is often attributed to a collaborative, holistic andempathic consultation and to the practitioner patient relationship. However most researchinto the homeopathic consultation has focussed on patients’ experiences although thepractitioner is a crucial component of the therapeutic context and may have an important partto play in optimising health outcomes in homeopathy. Therefore the aim of this researchwas to gain an in depth understanding of homeopathic practitioners’ perceptions andexperiences of the consultation. An additional aim was to generate a theoretical model toexplain the processes that underpin the homeopathic consultation.

A qualitative approach was taken using constructivist grounded theory methodologyemploying a process of two phases of data collection. Medical and non medical homeopathswere sampled from the registers of the Faculty of Homeopathy and the Society ofHomeopaths. Phase 1 involved face to face in-depth interviews with homeopaths. Fromthese interviews a theoretical model of the homeopathic consultation was developed. Phase 2of data collection involved observations of homeopathic consultations and the use ofsolicited practitioner reflective diaries in order to confirm, refute or enlarge on the modelwhich developed from phase 1.

The emergent theoretical model entitled “a theoretical model of a UK classicalhomeopathic consultation” describes how homeopaths view and enact the consultationprocess. The findings indicate that the consultation consists of processes which areinterlinked and dependent on each other. I have labelled these processes exploring thejourney together, finding the level, responding therapeutically and understanding self.Central to these processes is the core category which I have labelled connecting.

This study has highlighted that the whole process of the homeopathic consultation isimportant and aspects that are unique to homeopathy such as the process of identifying andmatching the homeopathic remedy cannot be separated from the rest of the consultation andmust be considered as part of the whole process. Additionally the ritualistic and symbolicaspects of the consultation that are embedded in this process are of paramount importanceand provide meaning, highlighting the power of the consultation to promote beneficialeffects for the patient. This research has implications for all stakeholders and signals manyfuture avenues for research.